The Kano State Committee on Illegal Structures has intensified its enforcement exercise across Kano metropolis, inspecting several properties over allegations of illegal development, encroachment on public infrastructure, obstruction of access roads and violations of the state’s physical planning regulations.
The latest operation followed petitions submitted by residents, community groups and other stakeholders, with the committee visiting a number of locations to investigate complaints and enforce compliance with planning laws.
The exercise comes weeks after the committee announced it had sealed more than 300 illegal structures across major parts of Kano metropolis as part of the state government’s ongoing effort to restore order in urban development and implement the review of the Kano State Master Plan, which officials say has not undergone a comprehensive review for more than 30 years.
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Among the locations visited during the latest exercise was Dan Sulaika Plaza at the Farm Centre GSM Market, where the structure was alleged to have been constructed on a waterway.
The committee also inspected an estate at the Old CBN Quarters along Ahmed Musa Road, another estate opposite the Old CBN Quarters, and another housing development along the same road over alleged planning violations.
Other locations visited included a 250-shop commercial development at Kofar Mata ‘Yan Gadagi in Kano Municipal Local Government Area and a residential property at Kofar Wambai ‘Yan Mota, also in Kano Municipal, over allegations of illegal construction.
The committee equally visited Tudu-Yola C in the Rimin Auzinawa Layout following complaints by residents alleging that Imam Magaji Isyaku Mai Hula had converted a public access road into private property by erecting a solid gate, thereby restricting the movement of residents and other road users.
Following the inspection, the Chairman of the committee who doubled as Director General of the Kano state Geographic Information System KANGIS Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, directed that the gate should be removed by the owner.
He warned that if the directive was not complied with, the Kano State Government would remove the gate in accordance with the state’s physical planning regulations.
The chairman also directed Imam Magaji Isyaku Mai Hula to appear before the committee with documents relating to the property, including proof of ownership, an approved building plan, building permit and other relevant approvals to verify the legality of the development.
Dr. Sani said the committee’s operations were not intended to victimise any individual but to ensure compliance with the law, protect public infrastructure and restore sanity to physical development across Kano State.
According to him, the committee has continued to receive complaints from residents on issues ranging from illegal structures and unauthorised change of land use to construction on waterways, encroachment on public spaces and blockage of access roads.
He said every complaint would be investigated on its merit, assuring residents that due process would be followed before any enforcement action is taken.
The committee’s renewed enforcement drive forms part of the Kano State Government’s broader urban renewal programme, which includes the ongoing review of the state’s master plan to address decades of unregulated development and improve environmental sustainability, public safety and orderly urban growth.
Residents have been urged to obtain all necessary planning approvals before embarking on any construction and to report suspected violations to the appropriate authorities, while property owners affected by the exercise have been advised to cooperate with the committee and present relevant documents where required.